Minutes

Agenda item:

Visit by Deputy Secretary of Commerce, Bruce Andrews

Discussion:

The Deputy Secretary thanked the Labor Management Forum (Forum) for its efforts, specifically for work on items such as telework and the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS). He noted that Public Service Recognition week was coming up, and he wanted to thank everyone for their work and celebrate this week throughout the Department. When asked if there were questions, a member stated that getting vacancies filled has been a struggle. The Deputy Secretary agreed, noting that this is a topic discussed frequently, and integrated into the shared services initiative. The Management Co-Chair stated that an analysis of funded vacancies across the Department shows the need for more investment into HR to assist the solution. A member shared a story of employees who could not take time off due to issues getting vacancies filled. The Deputy Secretary agreed that everyone recognizes the seriousness of the issue.

The Labor Co-Chair appreciated the Deputy Secretary’s presence at the forum. He noted customer concerns with PTO’s involvement and the distribution of money regarding shared services. The Deputy Secretary noted the goal of shared services is to result in a higher level of service across the Department, and stated he would not feel as strongly about PTO being part of it if he felt that it would lower the level of services and quality of PTO. The Management Co-Chair highlighted the business case of shared services, noting the majority of savings comes from leveraging buying power, which PTO benefits from. She also stated that while leveraging more resources into HR, there are front-end savings coming from smarter acquisition.

Discussion:

Mr. Kukovich commented that he did not find GSA’s Unified Shared Services Management’s (USSM) organizational chart on their website. The Management Co-Chair shared that she is on the Government-wide shared services governance board, and that Mr. Glenn Davidson sits on the USSM board at their request. Since the announcement of the two groups, nothing has been officially released from either board.

Mr. Davidson, Executive Director of Shared Services, introduced himself, and the objective of the shared services program. He stated that the goal is to take some of the burdensome transactional activities outside of employee’s duties, which could result in better service. He noted that shared services are the best of both centralization and decentralization. Mr. Davidson commented that shared services will be a different way of things being done, but believes it is a dramatic way to improve services. He noted that the commercial organizations have been leveraging shared services for 20 years and typically show cost savings of 20 to 40 per cent by year three. He hopes this will change the way we treat each other as customers and colleagues by working together, and treating each other with respect. The shared services site is www.sharedservices.commerce.gov, where a 22-page reference guide can be found. Mr. Davidson is asking for volunteers from the bureaus to help with communications, training, and implementation, inviting those with concerns to volunteer.

A member asked if there would be comparisons to show where we are now, and what the future state will look like. Mr. Davidson responded that they are close to having a business case that they are comfortable sharing with Departmental Management Committee (DMC) members next month. He stated that most people have no idea how much it costs to deliver a service, but that the business case demonstrates that there are savings. He is happy to share when they get to point after DMC acceptance, but that it may take time.

In explaining how the organizations will be different, Mr. Davidson identified that it will be a matter of process reengineering. People will be trained to do better quality work, while leveraging technology. He stated that employees will have multiple avenues to start transactions, and can track actions similar to the FedEx package tracking system. He explained that there would be a “home” for everyone, but that it may be a different home than they may currently have; however, it will hopefully be a better job.

A member claimed that they were optimistic about shared services, but there was still concern over filling vacancies. Mr. Davidson stated that we will need to recruit candidates in a different way while still abiding by the appropriate the laws, regulations, and policies. The Management Co-Chair commented that difficulties in recruiting and retaining make mission enabling functions unsustainable.

A member asked about a backup plan if the shared services initiate is not successful. Confidence was expressed in the shared services initiative. Eighty day hiring was brought up, and it was suggested after the shared services initiative was in place, the Department would get back on track. There will be service level agreements between shared services and hiring managers. A member asked if there would be a fee for services. Mr. Davidson explained that there will be, but not at first. It was expressed that there already is a fee for services, but that the human resources organizations are paying for them already.

The Labor Co-Chair expressed a willingness for PTO to share best practices, stating that the Department can work together to leverage best practices it has. He also suggested reading the shared services RFP, stating it was a great description of the work, and addresses the pain points.

Demonstration of the electronic travel system that is being implemented in the Department

Presenter:

Ms. Lindsay Rump and Mr. Jon Alexander

Discussion:

The Office of Financial Management gave a demonstration of the new electronic travel system, E2. It has dashboard functionality, with an online booking engine, similar to Kayak. A member asked about the use of personal cards, and it was stated that any confirmation or documentation could be attached in the system.

An issue was expressed about flight cancelations and emergency travel procedures. Members of the Forum should address their concerns to Gay Shrum, gshrum@doc.gov. A new email address has been established for all others to submit their concerns, ETS2Project@doc.gov. Examples should be specific with dates, time, location, names, and any other pertinent information.

A member expressed concern about the employee being responsible for the travel authorization process; however, it was explained that E2 is simply automating a process, not intended to change a process.

Training for E2 will be high level, mostly via webinar, with some hands on training as well. Both the NOAA and NIST help desk have worked closely with the E2 team, and are experts on the system.

A member provided praise for the efforts, and stated it looked better than Kayak, and that it was great to be able to do all travel bookings at once.

Agenda item:

Phased Retirement Policy

Presenter:

Ms. Valerie Smith

Discussion:

The policy is signed and DOC-wide implementation is anticipated in early May. Each Servicing Human Resources Office (SHRO) is working on their own implementation plan within their serviced organization. A broadcast will be distributed soon.

The Labor Co-Chair suggested that the announcement come from the Forum, with the picture of the Deputy Secretary, to highlight coordination efforts. Ms. Valerie Smith will distribute broadcast to phased retirement team for comment. It was also suggested that subcommittee members be recognized in the broadcast. The Labor Co-Chair suggested sending to the National Labor Council, and thanked the team for their efforts, particularly Ms. Smith and Ms. Laurie Schwede.

Ms. Tyra Dent Smith stated this topic has been discussed with directors in the Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM), and is still centered on identifying what the scope would be, and identifying resource allocations to pursue that.

The Labor Co-Chair said that a working group should be set up if it is needed; the issue appears to go on without any action around it. The Management Co-Chair echoed that this is a huge project, and that understanding the scope is very important, and she wants to give it the seriousness it deserves.

A member stated that there are some Census economists who might be able to do data analysis, but the issue is who will pay for it. If Census were to do the work, the intentions would most likely be to publish the results.

The Management Co-Chair asked that there be an action item to be a write up of the scope of this project, including funding. A member stated that she thought they determined they wanted to look at special qualifications and how that affects men and women, along bonuses. The topic of work-life balance was also brought up. A management member suggested looking for existing research on the topic. The Management Co-Chair shared that there is some information that the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has, and that OCR can share what they have on the topic if requested.

Status Results from Meeting with Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on FEVS

Presenter:

Ms. Laurie Schwede

Discussion:

OPM expressed they would be interested in having Census work with them in two areas, constructs and definitions of survey items, and confidentiality and survey nonresponse. They would like to help with this, but there has been no new contact. Ms. Schwede asked the willingness of Forum for some people to go to OPM to work out the nature of what the collaboration will be. She stated that if this lasted longer than a few months, leadership would like to see that OPM contributes. The Management Co-Chair stated that a meeting to scope out expectations with OPM is logical next step, and thinks Census leadership needs to have a voice in that. She agreed that should the commitment of Census resources to continue for a lengthy period, funding should be reviewed. She also stated that the Office of the Secretary would not be giving a budget towards this, so OPM has to determine what they are able to do. It was suggested that the Communications Working Group contact Mike Causey and Joe Davidson to provide them with news that the Department has implemented its phased retirement policy and developed it through pre-decisional involvement.

The rest of the agenda items will be covered in phone call with the Management and Labor Co-Chairs,
Mr. Kevin Mahoney, Ms. Smith, and Mr. Frank Milman. Ms. Dent Smith was asked to take the lead on organizing this call.

Action Items

Item

Responsible Party

Status

Deadline

ü Establish email address for travel concerns

Lisa Casias

DONE

April 27, 2016

ü Forum members can send any comments on

the new travel system to Howard Friedman

within the next couple of weeks

Forum

May 11, 2016

ü Find out from the PHRMs when their serviced bureaus will be ready to implement phased retirement

Valerie Smith

DONE

April 29, 2016

ü Draft broadcast message announcing phased retirement and send to Forum team members